Carton closing machine



Sept. 23, 1969 R. VAHLE 3,468,101

CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet l NVENTOR Hf? n /J/v@ V40/1.5

BASSA@ 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 23, 1969 R. VAHLE CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1965 U Q n@ w l.

SAGSJE Sept. 23, 1969 R. VAHLE CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed Nov. 29, 1965 J 7/ ATTORNEY Mmm Sept. 23, i969 R. VAHLE CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 29, 1965 IIIIIIL`- \\\\\\\\\\\\s INVENTOR Sept 23, i969 R. VAHLE 3,468,OE

CARTON cLosING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 23, 196C R. VAHLE 3,468,101

CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet e Sept. 23, 1969 R. vAHLE 3,468,101

CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed NOV. 29, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR i@ m 10V/J Pil/a 5 Sept. 23, 1969 R. vAHLE 3,463,101

CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed NOV. 29, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 TTORNEY CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Raymond Vahle, Tappan, N.Y., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 526,317 Int. Cl. B65b 7/26 U.S. Cl. 53-376 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to an egg carton closing machine in which a pair of pivotal arms swing a pair of closure panels to a generally vertical position, a downwardly descendible plate having a generally inverted W- shaped configuration thereafter progressively folds a pair of tuck panels toward each other, and another descendible plate having a generally inverted U-shaped guide surface completes the closing of the carton during which time the tuck panels are guided to one side of a longitudinal partition of the egg carton by the apex of the inverted W-shaped guiding edge.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus for closing a carton of the type which includes a bottom panel, side panels joined to the bottom panel and each terminating at a first fold line, a closure panel joined by each of the lirst fold lines to an associated side panel, each closure panel including a top panel between the first fold line and a second fold line, and a terminal tuck panel between the second fold line and a remote terminal edge, the apparatus including means for folding the closure panels from about the iirst fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, means for folding the terminal tuck panels about the second fold lines toward each other, means for folding the top and tuck panels about the respective iirst and second fold lines to bring the top panels into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into generally vertical abutment, and means for guiding the tuck panels into vertical abutment to one side of a longitudinal partition panel of the carton during the folding thereof about the second fold line.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus for closing a carton of the type described above, including means for conveying the carton along a predetermined path, first means adjacent the predetermined path for bearing against the top panels to fold the closure panels about the first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, second means normally positioned above the first means, reciprocating means for urging the second means into bearing engagement with the terminal edges of the closure panels to fold the tuck panels about the second fold lines toward each other, guide means carried by the second means for directing the tuck panels toward a position of relative abutment, and third means for bearing against the second fold lines during the directing of the tuck panels by the guide means for bringing the top panels into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into generally vertical abutting relation.

A further object of this invention is to provide novel apparatus for closing a carton of the type just described and including first means for folding the closure panels about the first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, second means normally positioned above the first means for folding the tuck panels about the second fold lines toward each other, reciprocating means for moving the second means to fold the tuck panels, third means carried by the second means operative upon the termination of the movement of the second means for bearing against the second fold lines to bring the top panels into horizon- United States Patent() rice tal alignment and the tuck panels into generally vertical abutting relation, and stop means for terminating the movement of the second means.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of novel apparatus for closing a carton of the type described 1nclu ding means for advancing the carton along a predetermmed path of travel, the advancing means including reciprocal rack means movable from a rst position upstream of each of the descendible means relative to the predetermined path of carton travel to a second position downstream of the first position adjacent each of the descendible means, means along the predetermined path for folding the closure panels upwardly about the first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, the latter means including a pair of folding arms, means for pivoting the folding arms from a generally horizontal plane to a generally vertical plane to fold the closure panels, means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the terminal tuck panels about the second fold lines away from a generally vertical plane and toward each other, other means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the top and tuck panels about the respective fold lines to bring the top panels into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into vertical alignment, means for actuating each of the descendible means and guide means for guiding the tuck panels into vertical alignment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus of the type immediately above-described in which the reciprocal rack means include retractable pusher means arranged in alignment with the direction of the predetermined path of travel, and the pusher means include flexible members normally positioned for abutting contact with the side walls of the panel and retractable to a second position beneath a bottom panel of the carton.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus for closing a carton of the type described comprising means positioned along a predetermined path of carton travel for folding the closure panels of a carton upwardly about the first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the terminal tuck panels about the second fold lines away from a generally vertical plane and toward each other, other means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the top and tuck panels about the respective fold lines to bring the top panels 'into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into vertical alignment, means for substantially commonly descending both of the descendible means toward the predetermined path of travel, means for permitting continued descent of one of the descendible means while precluding the descent of the other of the descendible means, means for actuating each of the descendible means, and guide means for guiding the tuck panels into vertical alignment to one side of a longitudinal partition panel of the carton.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel closing apparatus of the type immediately above described in which the guide means includes rst and second guide surface portions which are contoured to a generally inverted W-shaped configuration and the other descendible means similarly includes guide surface portions which are contoured to a generally inverted U- shaped conguration.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel mechanism .for folding a panel of a carton from a generally vertical upwardly directed position to a position in which a top panel between tirst and second fold lines of the carton is positioned in a generally horizontal plane and a tuck panel between the second fold line and a remote edge of the carton is positioned in a generally vertical downwardly directed position including means positioned above an area at which the carton is located, the means comprising fir-st and second reciprocal plate members, means for reciprocating the plate members between positions adjacent t-o and remote from the area, means on the first member for contacting the remote panel edge, whereby the tuck panel is folded along the second fold line toward and beyond a horizontal plane during the reciprocation of the plate members toward the area, means for stopping the movement of the first plate member adjacent the area, means on the second plate member for bearing against the second fold line to fold the top panel along the first fold line after the first plate member has been stopped by the stopping means to 4bring the top panel into a generally horizontal position, and guide means for directing the tuck panel to a generally vertical downwardly directed position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel mechanism of the type described in which is further included means for removably securing the first and seeond plate members together for common movement, the securing means including disengageable means carried by one of the plate members and engageable with the other of the plate members whereby the stopping of the first plate member causes disengagement of the disengageable means with the other plate member and permits centinued reciprocation of the second plate member toward the area, the disengageable means being a pivotable member carried by the second plate member and engageable with an opening in the first plate member.

A further object of this invention is t provide a novel method of closing a carton of the type described including the steps of advancing the carton along a predetermined path, folding the closure panels about the first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, folding the terminal tuck panels about the second fold lines toward each other and folding the top and tuck panels about the respective first and second fold lines to bring the top panels into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into vertical abutment.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel method of closing a carton including each of the steps set forth above and further guiding the tuck carton to one side of a longitudinal partition panel of the carton during the folding thereof about the second fold lines.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary schematic top perspective view of a novel carton closing machine or apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates various mechanisms for sequentially folding panels of an open carton to close the carton with tuck panels of the closure panels positioned to one side of a longitudinal partition panel of the carton.

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 2 2 of FIGURE 3, and illu-strates reciprocal means for advancing open cartons toward a plurality of commonly advanced descendible means for folding the clorsure panels of the cartons.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 3 3 of FIGURE 2 with a portion broken away for clarity, and illustrates a cam actuated mechanism for pivoting a pluraltiy of oppositely directed foldlng arms from a first generally horizontal position to a second substantially vertical position to initiate the folding of the carton.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view through one of three cams shown in FIGURE l, and illustrates a cam follower received in a cam track of the cam.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5 5 of FIGURE 4, and more clearly illustrates the generally 4 heart-shaped configuration of the cam track of FIG- URE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of another cam taken along a line substantially identical to the line 5 5 of FIGURE 4, and illustrates a cam follower carried by a reciprocal rod received in a generally heart-shaped cam track.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of a third cam, and illustrates a pair of arms commonly secured to a pivot arm carrying a cam follower received in a cam track of the cam.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 8 8 of FIGURE 11, and illustrates a -pair of members forming portions of the descendible means, means for temporarily securing the members together for common descending movement, and a rack and gear for descending the members.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 8 8 of FIGURE 1l, but illustrates the descendible members at a lowermost position thereof, and in phantom outline, a pivoting arm being cammingly removed from an opening in one of the members.

FIGURE 10 is a view taken substantially along line 8 8 of FIGURE 11, and illustrates the members moving upwardly from the position shown in FIGURE 9 toward the uppermost position of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE l1 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 11-11 of FIGURE 2, and illustrates a closed carton supported between the oppositely directed folding arms and beneath the descendible members at the termination of a folding operation.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line lll-11 of FIGURE 2, and illustrates the folded carton of FIGURE 11 removed from beneath the descendible means and a packaged open carton positioned between the folding arms and beneath the descendible members.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 12, and illustrates the vertical Iposition of the folding arms and the common descent of the descendible members toward closure panels of the carton.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURES 12 and 13, and illustrates stop means preventing the descent of one of the descendible members and permitting the continued descent of a second of the members.

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the folding arms and descendible members of FIGURE 14, and illustrates guide means for directing terminal tuck panels of each of the carton closure panels to one side of a longitudinal partition panel of the carton.

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE l5, and illustrates the tuck panels fully inserted to one side of the longitudinal partition panel of the carton.

FIGURE 17 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 17 17 of FIGURE 16, and illustrates a plurality of pairs of the descendible means spaced tranversely of the apparatus and the folding arms positioned therebetween.

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus similar to FIGURE 1l, and illustrates the u-pward retraction of the descendible means after the carton has been completely closed and the position of another packaged open carton prior to the reciprocation of rackactuated pusher members to a first position and the advancement of the open carton thereby to the area beneath the descendible members.

A novel carton closing machine or apparatus 20 constructed in accordance with this invention will be best understood by first describing a carton C of FIGURE 1 to which attention is directed.

The carton =C is preferably constructed from paperstock material, but can be constructed from plastic or similar foldable material, and comprises a bottom panel B folded medially thereof to form a longitudinal partition panel L. An identical side panel S is integrally formed from the material of the bottom panel B at each Side of the longitudinal partition panel L, and terminates in an associated first longitudinal fold line L1. An identical closure panel CP is set off between each of the first longitudinal fold lines L1 and a remote longitudinal terminal edge E. An identical top panel TP of the closure panel CP is set off between each of the first longitudinal fold lines L1 and an adjacent associated second longitudinal fold line L2. A terminal panel or tuck flap TF of each of the closure panels CP is set off between each of the second longitudinal fold lines L2 and an associated remote edge E. A plurality of articles A, such as eggs, are positioned in pockets (unnumbered) in the carton C defined by a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse partition panels T of a conventional construction interlocked with the side panels S. The interlocking between the side panels S and the transverse partition panels P may be, for example, a conventional slot and ear interlock which supports the closure panels CP at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal.

The apparatus for closing the closure panels CP of the carton C comprises a framework 21 (FIGURES 2 and 3) having a flat carton-supporting surface defined by a generally rectangular metallic plate 22 (FIGURE 2). A housing 23 is supported by the Iplate 22 of the framework 21 and includes four vertically opstanding plates or walls 24-27 arranged in a generally rectangular pattern as viewed in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. The walls 24 and 25 have identical leg portions 28 (FIGURES 3 and ll) secured to the plate 22 by conventional angle brackets and bolts (unnumbered). A cut-out 3fty (FIGURE ll) in the wall 24 defines an entrance opening into the housing 23 for packaged unfolded cartons while a similar cut-out 31 in the wall 25 (FIGURE l1) defines an exit opening in the wall 25 for the departure of closed cartons from the housing 23 in a manner to be described hereafter. The walls 26 and 27 are similarly cut out at 32 (FIGUR-E ll) and 33 (FIGURE 3) respectively, to form access openings into the housing 23. The walls 26 and 27 are secured to the walls 24 and 25 by conventional bolts and nuts referred to collectively by the reference numeral 34 (FIGURE 2). A motor 35 (FIGURES 2, 3 and 11) having a right angle drive 36 is conventionally supported by the wall 25 of the housing 23. A pulley 37 is conventionally secured, as by a slot and key, to a drive shaft 38 of the right angle drive 36. A pulley belt 40 is entrained about the drive pulley 37 and a driven pulley 41 carried by the shaft 42 which is secured by conventional journals 43 (FIGURE 2) to the wall 24 of the housing 23. The pulley belt 40 rotates the pulley 41 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES l, 3 and 1l of the drawings. The tension of the pulley belt 40 is adjusted by a conventional tensioning roll 44 adjustably secured by a bracket 45 to the wall 46 of the housing 23.

The pulley 41 is normally positioned in a home position by engagement between a detent `46 projecting radially outwardly from a hub 47 of the pulley 41 and a retractable finger 48 of a conventional solenoid operated clutch 50. The solenoid (not shown) of the clutch 50 is energized in a conventional manner from a suitable source of electrical power (not shown) to retract the finger 48 against the biasing force of a spring- (not shown) thereby causing disengagement of the finger 48 and the detent 46 whereupon the pulley 41 is free to rotate upon the operation of the motor 35. This interlocking at the home position of the pulley 41 insures proper cycling of the carton closing machine 20.

A driving pulley 51 is conventionally secured to an end portion of the shaft 42 adjacent the pulley 41 (FIG- URE 2). A pulley belt 52 is entrained about the driving pulley 51 and a driven pulley 53 similarly conventionally secured to a shaft 54 (FIGURES 1-3 and l1) conventionally journalled in the framework 21 beneath the plate 22. A plurality of identical transversely spaced pulleys 55 are secured to the shaft 54 for rotation therewith, and each of the pulleys 55 projects upwardly through identical openings or apertures 56 in the plate 22 of the framework 21, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 3. There are three such pulleys 55 and openings 56 illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, but it is to be understood that more or less than this number may be provided. An additional opening or aperture 57 is formed in the plate 22 adjacent and in longitudinal alignment with an associated one of the openings 56, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 2, and an identical pulley 58 projects through each of the openings 57 slightly above the surface of the plate 22 (FIG- URE 3). The pulleys 58 are secured to a shaft 60 (FIG- URES l and 3) which is conventionally journalled for rotation in the framework 21. An identical pulley belt 61 is entrained about each of the pair of longitudinally aligned pulleys 56, 58 and an upper run (unnumbered) of each pulley belt 61 passes through the openings 56, 57 and overlies portions of the plate 22.

A carton, such as the carton C of FIGURE l, is advanced from the position illustrated in this figure, to a position at which one or more of the bottom edges (unnumbered) of the transverse partition panels T contact each of the upper runs of the pulley belts 61 adjacent the pulleys 58. The advancement of the carton C to this position can be accomplished by any suitable means, such as conventional powered or gravity conveyors forming no part of this invention, and a further description thereof is considered unnecessary for a complete understanding of the apparatus 20. With a carton so positioned, a revolution of the pulley 41 rotates each of the pulleys 51, 53, 55 and 58 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURES l, 3 and 1l of the drawings, to move the carton C substantially to the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 by the left-to-right movement of each of the upper pulley belt runs of the pulley belts 61 prior to further movement of the carton C into the housing 23 through the entrance opening 30 (FIGURE 11) in a manner to be described hereafter.

Cartons are guided during their movement through the apparatus 20 by a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending guide rails `62, 63 supported adjacent each of the outermost ones of the pulley belts 61. Identical L-shaped brackets 64 are secured to each of the guide rails 62, 63, and each of the brackets 64 has a slot (unnumbered) through which passes an identical bolt 65 from beneath the plate 22 of the framework 21 (FIGURE 3). Each of the bolts 65 passes through an associated opening (not shown) in the plate 21 and a nut (unnumbered) secured to each of the bolts 65 permits the guide rail 6-2 and 63 to be adjusted in a manner readily apparent from the drawings.

Reciprocating means generally referred to by the reference numeral `66 are provided for advancing the carton C from the position thereof shown in FIGURES 3 and ll to a position in the housing 23 (FIGURE l2), and simultaneously advancing a previously closed carton CC from a position in the housing 23 (FIGURES 3 and 1l) to a position beyond the housing 23 through the exit opening 31 thereof (FIGURE l2).

The reciprocating means 66 comprises a pair of identical, elongated pusher elements 67, 68 supported by the plate 22 of the framework 21 in substantially parallel relationship to each other and to the pulley belts 61, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. Each of the pusher elements 67, 68 is positioned between a center and outermost one of the pulley belts 61, and each pusher element 67, 68 overlies a respective elongated slot 70, 71 (FIGURE 17) in the plate 22. Each of the pusher elements 67 and 68 includes oppositely directed longitudinal flanges 72 (FIGURE 17) overlying longitudinal edge portions of the plates 22 adjacent the respective slots 70` and 71. Opposed elongated angle members 73, 74 overlie the flanges 72 of the pusher elements 67 and 68 and these angle members 73 and 74 are secured to the plate 22 of the framework 21 by conventional screws 75 (FIGURE 2). The angle members 73, 74 thus cooperate with the flanges 72 to guide the reciprocal movement of the elements 67 and 68 in a manner to be described more fully hereafter.

A pair of identical pusher members 76, 77 having widened end portions 80, 81 respectively are secured to the pusher element 67 by conventional screws (unnumbered). Identical pusher members 82, 83 having respective widened end portions 84, 85 are similarly secured to the pusher element 68. The pusher members 76, 77 are in longitudinal alignment, as are the pusher members 82, 83. The edges (unnumbered) of the end portions 81, 85 and 80, 84 are transversely aligned as is best illustrated in FIG- URE 2 of the drawings. Each of the pusher members 76, 77, 82 and 83 is preferably constructed from flexible metallic material and the respective widened end portions thereof, 80, 81, 84 and -85 are normally positioned above and spaced from the associated pusher elements 67, and 68.

In a first or home position of the pusher elements 67 and 68, the end portions 81 and 85 of the respective pusher members 77 and 83 are positioned slightly to the left of the openings 55 in the plate 22 as viewed in FIGURE 2 while n this same home position, the end portions 80, 84 of the respective pusher members 76 and 82 are positioned in the housing 23 adjacent a central plate 86 supported in an irregularly shaped opening 87 (FIGURE 2) of the plate 22 by a pair of brackets 88, 90 bridging portions of the openings 87 and secured by conventional fasteners 91 to the plate 22.

A second position of the pusher elements 67 and 68 is illustrated in FIGURE 12 of the drawings at which the end portions 81 and 85 of the respective pusher members 77 and 83 are positioned adjacent the plate 86 and the end portions 80, 84 of the respective pusher members 76 and 82 are positioned to the right of the housing wall 25, as viewed in FIGURE 2.

Identical toothed racks 93, 94 (FIGURE 1) are secured to the respective pusher elements 67, 68 by conventional screws 95 (FIGURE ll). As is best illustrated in this latter figure, the screws 95 pass through openings (unnumbered) in each of the elements 67, 68 and also pass through openings (unnumbered) in an identical block 96 thereby spacing a major portion of each of the racks 93, 94 beneath the respective pusher elements 67 and 68.

The racks 93, 94 and the respective pusher elements 67, 68 are reciprocated from left-to-right and from rightto-left under the control of cam means 97 which is best illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 6 of the drawings. The cam means 97 comprises a cam 98 secured to the shaft 42 at an end portion thereof opposite the pulleys 41 and 51 (FIGURE 2). The cam 98 includes a generally heartshaped camming surface or cam track 100 (FIGURE 6) in which rides a cam roller or cam follower 101. The cam follower 101 is conventionally journalled for rotation upon an upper portion 102 of a rod 103 beneath an upwardly opening guide slot 104 (FIGURE 6). The shaft 42 is received in the slot 104 (FIGURE 6), and as the rod 103 is reciprocated under the influence of the cam follower 101 and the cam track 100, the opposing surfaces (unnumbered) defining the slot 104 cooperate with the shaft 42 to guide this reciprocation of the rod 103. It should be noted that the shaft 42 is freely rotatable in the slot 104.

A lower portion 105 of the rod 103 is conventionally secured by a pivot pin 106 to an inner face 107 (FIG- URE 2) of a gear 108 secured to a shaft 110 which is in turn conventionally journalled for rotation in the framework 21. The gear 108 is in mesh with a gear 111 (FIG- URES 1 and 3) keyed or otherwise conventionally secured to a shaft 112 which is also journalled for rotation in the framework 21 in a conventional manner. A pair of identical gears 113, 114 are secured in spaced relationship on the shaft 112, the spacing between the gears 113 8 and 114 being identical to the distance between the racks 93 and 94 of the elements 67 and 68 respectively. These gears 113 and 114 are in mesh with the respective racks 93 and 94 (FIGURE 1).

Assuming that the apparatus 20 has operated for one complete cycle, the carton C is positioned adjacent the entrance opening 30 of the housing 23 and the end portions 81, of the pusher members 77 and 83 respectively are in engagement with the edges (unnumbered) of the transverse partition panels T, as is best illustrated in FIGURES 3 and l1 of the drawings. The carton C is advanced to the position shown in these figures by the pulley belts 61 when the reciprocating means 66 are in the home position thereof shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. As has been heretofore noted, the pusher members 77 and 83 are flexible and the bottom B of the packaged carton C urges the pusher members 77 and 83 downwardly toward the plate 22 of the framework 21 as the carton C is advanced by the pulley belts 61. As the carton C is advanced beyond the end portions 81 and 85 of the respective pusher members 77 and 83, the pusher members 77 and 83 return to their normal position by virtue of their inherent flexibility with the edges (unnumbered) of the end portions 81 and 85 contacting the edges of the transverse partitions T (FIGURES 3 and 11).

During this same cycle any carton position in the housing 23 is closed, such as the carton CC, in a manner to be described fully hereafter With the carton C positioned as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 11 the motor 35 and the clutch 50 are actuated whereupon the detent 46 and the finger 48 are disengaged and rotation of the pulley 41 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES l, 3 and 11 is initiated. At this time the cam follower 101 (FIGURE 6) is in the home position thereof. For the first ninety degrees of revolution of the cam 98, indicated by the double headed arrow 115 of FIGURE 6, the cam follower 101 is urged downwardly as viewed in this same ligure by the cam track 100 causing downward movement of the rod 103. The downward movement of the rod 103 rotates the gear 108 (FIGURES 1 and 3) in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in these figures approximately sixty degrees. This counterclockwise movement of the gear 108 causes clockwise rotation of the gear 111 carried by the shaft 112 and each of the gears 113 and 114 similarly secured to the shaft 112 are rotated in a clockwise direction. This rotation of the gears 113, 114 imparts linear left-to-right movement to the racks 93 and 94 in respective meshing engagement therewith to advance the pusher elements 67 and 68 from left-to-right. This linear movement is similarly imparted to the pusher members 80, 81, 84 and 85. The pusher members 81, 85 push the carton C from the position shown in FIGURES 3 and 11 through the entrance opening 30 into the housing 23 upon the central plate S6 of the framework 21 to the position shown in FIGURE 12. The pusher members 80 and 84 similarly advance upon the left-to-right movement of the racks 93 and 94 to push the previously closed carton CC outwardly of the housing 23 through the exit opening 31 from the position shown in FIGURE 1l to the position shown in FIGURE l2.

During the following 180 degrees of revolution of the came 98 Le., between 90 degrees and 270 degrees as is indicated by the double headed arrow 117 of FIGURE 6, the cam follower 101 dwells in the cam track 100 and the reciprocating means 66 are thus maintained during this 180 degrees revolution of the cam 98 in the forwardmost position thereof shown in FIGURES 12 through 16 of the drawings.

Between 270 degrees and 360 degrees rotation of the cam 98 (double headed arrow 118), the cam track 101 urges the cam follower 101 to the home position shown in FIGURE 6 to reciprocate the push rod 103 upwardly and retract the reciprocal means 66 to the home position thereof in a manner to be described more fully hereafter in the consideration of FIGURE 18.

Cam means 120 and cam means 121 (FIGURES 1 through and 7) actuate descendible and reciprocal folding means 122 (FIGURES 1, 2, and 8 through 11) and pivotable folding means 123 (FIGURES 1, 2, 3, 13 and 17) respectively, after the camming means 98 has rotated 90 degrees from the home position thereof to position the carton C in the housing 23 on the plate 86 in a manner to be described immediately hereafter.

The cam means 120 comprises a box cam 124 (FIG- URES 1-5) which is substantially identical to the cam 98 of FIGURE 6. The cam 124 is secured to the shaft 42 in a conventional manner and includes a generally heartshaped camming surface or cam track 125 in which rides a cam roller or cam follower 126. The cam 124 is illustrated in the home position thereof in FIGURES 4 and 5 which corresponds to the home position of the cam 98 of FIGURE 6. The cam follower 126 is secured to an end portion (unnumbered) of an arm 127 which is slotted at 128. The shaft 42 passes through the slot 128 as is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 4 of the drawings. An end portion of the arm 127 opposite the cam follower 126 is fastened by a bolt (unnumbered in FIGURE 2) to a face of a gear 130. A handle 131` (FIGURES 1 and 2) is attached to the same face of the gear 130 by another conventional bolt (unnumbered). The handle 131 thus permits manual rotation of the gear 130 to adjust a plurality of the components of the apparatus 20 in any selected position thereof.

The cam 124 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 5 of the drawings by the shaft 42, and during the first ninety degrees of rotation (double headed arrow 132) the cam follower 126 dwells in the cam track 125 and no motion is imparted to the arm 127. This dwell portion corresponds to the first ninety degrees of rotation of the cam 98 (double headed arrow 115 of FIGURE 6). Thus, during the forward movement of the reciprocating means 66 by the cam means 97, the cam means 120 is at a dwell position.

During the next ninety degrees of rotation of the cam 124 (double headed arrow 133) the cam follower riding in the cam track 125 urges the arm 127 upwardly to the right as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 5 to rotate the gear 130 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 3 through an arcuate distance of approximately 30 degrees (FIGURE 3). The gear 130 is journalled for such rotation by a sleeve bolt 134 (FIGURE 2) threaded into a reinforced portion (unnumbered) of the wall 27 of the housing 23. The gear 130 is in mesh with a gear 135 (FIGURES l and 3) and the ratio between these gears is l2 to 1. Thus, for each 30 degrees of rotation of the gear 130, the gear 135 rotates a full revolution (360 degrees) and in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the gear 130. The gear 135 is keyed in a conventional manner to a shaft 136 mounted for rotation in a conventional manner between the Walls 26, 27 of the housing 23 (FIGURE 2). Four equally spaced gears 140-143 are secured at one end of the shaft 136, and each gear is in mesh with an associated rack 144-147 respectively, forming portions of the descendible folding means 122. Thus, as the gear 130 rotates between 90 and 180 degrees from the home position thereof, the gears 140-143 are rotated counterclockwise in FIGURE 1 to initiate the descent of the descendible folding means 122 by the driving connection between the gears and the racks 144147. The structure and function of the descendible folding means 122 will be described more fully hereafter.

The came means 121 (FIGURES 1, 3 and 7) includes a box cam 148 secured to the shaft 136 to a side of the gear 135 opposite the gears 140-143. The cam 148 of the camming means 121 is best illustrated in FIGURE 7 of the drawings and includes a cam track or camming surface 150 which is contoured to the general configuration of an inverted numeral 6. A cam follower or cam roller 151 rides in the cam track 150 and is secured to an arm 152 which is conventionally journalled for pivoting movement to the wall 27 of the housing 23 at 153 in FIG- URE 2. A pair of arms 154 and 155 are commonly secured in overlapping relationship to the pivotable arm 152 adjacent the cam follower 151 by a bolt (unnumbered in FIGURE 2). The arms 154, 155 pass downwardly toward an opening 156 (FIGURE 2) in the plate 22 of the framework 21 and a lower end portion of the arms 154, is respectively secured to an associated crank arm 157, 158 by conventional bolts (unnumbered in FIG- URE 2). The crank arms 157, 158 are in turn respectively secured to rotatable shafts or folding arms 160, 161 forming portions of the pivotable folding means 123.

The shafts 160, 161 of the pivotable folding means 123 are each conventionally journalled in the framework 21 of the apparatus 20. The shafts 160, 161 pass through respective transverse openings 162, 163 defined by opposite edges of the plate 86 (FIGURES l and 3) and edge portions of the plate 22 defining the opening 87 (FIG- URE 2). The folding arms 160, 161 each carry a plurality of folding lingers, the folding fingers carried by the folding arm being each generally referred to by the reference numeral 164 and those carried by the folding arm 161 being referred to by the reference numeral 165. The folding fingers 164, 165 are substantially normal to the folding arms 160, 161 and are oppositely directed into associated slotted portions 166, 167 respectively in the plate 22. As is best illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, the slotted portions 166, 167 open into the transverse openings 162, 163 respectively.

The folding fingers 164, 165 are substantially identical and each includes identical base portions 170 (FIGURES 15 and 16) joined by integral bent portions 171 to offset portions 172. The folding fingers 164, 165 occupy a substantially horizontal plane (FIGURE 3) in the home position thereof, but are pivotable from this position to a substantially vertical position (FIGURE 13) under the influence of the camming means 121 in a manner to be described fully hereafter.

The centermost two of the folding fingers 164, 165 are more closely adjacent each other than they are to the remote ones of the same fingers, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 17 of the drawings with respect to the folding fingers 164. This spacing of the fingers 164 and 165 provides an access area (unnumbered) between outermost pairs of the fingers through which the pusher elements 6'7, 68 and the pusher members 76, 77, 82 and 83 are free to move during the reciprocation of the reciprocating means 66.

With the carton C in the position thereof shown in FIGURE l2 and after the first 90 degrees of clockwise revolution of both of the cams 98 and 124, at which time the reciprocating means 66 advance the carton C to the position illustrated in FIGURE 12 in the manner heretofore described, the cam 124 rotates through the arc defined by the double headed arrow 133 of FIGURE 5 between 90 degrees and 180 degrees. During this rotation of the cam 124, the follower 126 is urged upwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degrees as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 5 of the drawings to reciprocate the arm 127 in the same direction. The arm 127 is guided during this movement by the cooperative association of the shaft 42 and the slot 128 (FIGURE 5). This movement of the arm 127 rotates the gear 130 in a clockwise direction (FIGURE 3) which in turn rotates the gear 135 carried by the shaft 136 counterclockwise. The cam 148 of the cam means 121 is similarly rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 3 whereupon the cam follower follows the cam track 150 to impart downward counterclockwise pivoting to the pivot arm 152 about its connection 153 (FIGURE 3) with the housing 23.

As was heretofore noted, the ratio between the rotation of the gear 130 and the gear 135 is such that the cam 148 is rotated a complete revolution upon the rotation of the cam 124 over the arc 133 and the cam 98 over the `first half of the arc 117 (90-180). The downward counterclock-wise pivoting of the pivot arm 152 urges the arms 154, 155 downwardly to pivot the crank arm 157 clockwise and the crank arm 158 counterclockwise. As the crank arms 157 and 158 pivot in the directions indicated, the folding arms 160 and 161 rotate about their respective axes in clockwise and counterclockwise directions respectively, thus pivoting the folding fingers 164, 165 from the position shown in FIGURE 12 to the position shown in FIGURE 13. During this pivoting of the folding fingers 164, 165 toward one another and toward a generally vertical plane, the terminal edges thereof (unnumbered) contact the closure panels CP of the carton C and progressively fold the closure panels CP about the associated first fold lines L1 until the FIGURE 13 position is reached. In this position the carton C is clasped or gripped between the bent portions 171 of the fingers 164, 165 and the closure panels CP are folded about the associated iirst fold lines L1 to a position slightly beyond a vertical plane by the offset end portions 172 of these fingers. In this position of the carton C, the remote edges E of the closure panels CP are directed upwardly for abutting and guiding contact by the descendible folding means 122 to be described immediately hereafter.

The descendible folding means 122 are best illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 8 through 11, to which attention is directed. The descendible folding means 122 comprises a plurality of pairs of identical plate members 170-173 (FIGURE 2). The pairs of plate members 170-173 of the descendible folding means 122 are supported in the housing 23 in equally spaced parallel relationship to each other and are mounted for vertical reciprocation by the gears 140-143 and the respective racks 144-147 (FIG- URE 1) as will appear fully hereafter.

Since the pairs of plate members 170-173 are identical, the pair of plate members 171 will be described fully hereafter, it being understood that a description of the pair of plate members 171 is equally applicable to the remaining pairs of plate members.

The pair of plate members 171 comprises a substantially flat first plate member 174 (FIGURES 8-11) and a similar substantially fiat rectangular second plate member 175.

The first plate member 174 has opposite vertical edge portions (unnumbered) slidably and guidably received in opposed generally U-shaped guide members 176, 177 secured in a conventional manner to the respective walls 24 and 25 of the housing 23 (FIGURES 2 and l1). A generally elongated U-shaped slot 178 is formed in the rst plate member 174 and provides an access opening through which passes the shaft 136 (FIGURE l1). The first plate member 174 is illustrated in the uppermost position thereof in FIGURE 11 and the slot 178 permits downward movement of the first plate member 174 without any interference of the shaft 136.

A stop 180 (FIGURES 8-11) is carried by the first plate member 174 adjacent the upper edge thereof. The stop 180 is a generally U-shaped member having a bight portion 181 and a pair of legs (unnumbered) straddling an elongated slot 182. A conventional fastener 183 secures the stop 180 in any position of adjustment in the slot 182 in a well known manner. The bight portion 181 of the stop 180 is in vertical alignment with the guide member 176 (FIGURE 11) and bottoms against the upper terminals end wall (unnumbered) of the guide member 176 during the descent of the iirst plate member 174 to stop the downward movement thereof for a purpose to be described more fully hereafter.

Either of the legs (unnumbered) of the stop 180 can be similarly employed to stop the downward descent of the iirst plate member 174 in lieu of the bight portion 181 by securing a member 185 (FIGURES 8-10) to the framework 21 in alignment with either of these legs.

A lowermost end portion of the first plate member 174,

as viewed in FIGURE 11, is provided with means 186 for contacting the remote edges E of the closure panels CP to fold the tuck panels or tuck flaps TF to the phantom outline position shown in FIGURE 13 upon the descent of the means 122 as will appear more fully hereafter, and also includes means 187 for guiding these tuck flaps into vertical abutting relationship to one side of a longitudinal center line through the carton C (FIGURE 16). The means 186, 187 of the plate member 174 com-prise first guide surface portions 190, 191 for contacting the remote carton edges E and guidably directing the tuck panels or flaps TF toward each other. r[he lower portion of the member 174 also includes second guide surface portions 192, 193 forming continuations of the respective first guide portions 190, 191 for guidably directing the tuck flaps TF downwardly toward the bottom B of the carton C, as shown in FIGURES 15 and 16 and as will be de scribed more fully hereafter. The guide surface portions 190 through 193 are contoured to a generally inverted W-shaped configuration (FIGURE l5) with a centermost downwardly pointed leg portion thereof being generally referred to by the numeral 194. This leg portion 194 terminates in a point (unnumbered) Iwhich is directed toward and projects into the carton C to one side of the longitudinal partition L therein (FIGURES 15 and 16).

The second plate member of the pair of plate members 171 is narrower and shorter than the first plate member 174, and is slotted at 195. The slot 195 of the second plate member 175 corresponds identically to the slot 178 of the first plate member 174 to permit reciprocation of the second plate member 175 without interference thereof by the shaft 136, as is clearly illustrated in FIG- URES 2 and 1l of the drawings.

Opposite longitudinal edges of the second plate member 175 are each guidably received in parallel opposed guide members 196, 197 (FIGURE 2) secured by screws (unnumbered) to the first plate member 174. The guide members 196, 197 guide the movement of theV second plate member 175 relative to the rst plate member 174 after the rst plate member 174 is stopped in its lower most position by the stop as will appear more fully hereafter.

A lowermost end portion of the second plate member 175 is provided with means 189 for bearing against the second fold lines L2 of the closure panels CP of the carton C to fold the top panels TP about the iirst fold lines L1 to bring the top panels TP into horizontal alignment, after the first plate member 174 is stopped by the stop 180, as will appear more fully hereafter. The means 189 includes a guide surface portion of a generally inverted U-shaped configuration having a bight edge portion 198 and opposed downwardly diverging leg edge portions 199.

The plate members 174 and 175 are disengageably secured together by securing means 200 which secure the first and second plate members 174 and 175 respectively together for common movement downwardly from the home position shown in FIGURES 8 and l1, and which disengage when the rst plate member 174 bottoms to permit further downward movement of the second plate member 175. The securing means 200 comprises a pair of axially aligned and apertured journal members 201, 202 (FIGURE 2 secured adjacent the longitudinal edges (unnumbered) of the second plate member 175. A shaft 203 is journalled for rotation in the journal members 201, 202, and end portions (unnumbered) of the shaft 203 project beyond these journals as is best illustrated in FIGURE 2. Axial movement of the shaft 203 is prevented by conventional adjusting collars 204, 205 secured to the shaft 203 adjacent the respective journalling members 201, 202.

An arm 206 having an oifset portion 207 directed at general right angles to the plates 174, 175 is secured to the end portion of the shaft 203 adjacent the journalling 13 member 201 by a conventional locking collar 208. A substantially identical arm 210 (FIGURE 11) having a similarly directed offset portion 211 (FIGURE 2) is secured to the end portion of the shaft 203 adjacent the journalling member 202 by a locking collar 212.

One end of a torsion spring 213 is secured to the journalling member 201 in a conventional manner, as for example, by positioning this end of the torsion spring 213 in an opening 214 (FIGURES 8 through 10) of the journalling member 201. An opposite end of the torsion spring 213 is similarly secured in a collar 215 (FIG- URE 2) secured to the shaft 203 by, for example, a radially inwardly directed screw which bottoms against the exterior of the shaft 203 (not shown). By rotating the collar 215 relative to the shaft 203 and tightening the screw, the tension of the torsion spring 213 can be adjusted. The torsion spring 213 normally biases the collar 215, the shaft 203, and both the arms 206 and 210 in a cloockwiseI direction as viewed in FIGURES 8 through 10 of the drawings. A vertically extending rail 216 (FIGURES 8-10) provided with an aperture or opening 217 substantially midway of its length is secured by conventional fasteners, such as screws 218, to the rst plate member 174 in parallel spaced relationship between the guide members 176 and 196, as is best illustrated in FIGURES 2 and l1 of the drawings. A similar rail 220 having an aperture or opening 221 is secured by conventional fasteners (unnumbered) to the first plate member 174 between and in parallel spaced relationship to the guide members 177 and 197 (FIGURES 2 and 11).

In the home position or uppermost position of the pair of plate members 171 illustrated in FIGURES 8 and ll of the drawings, the offset portions 207 and 211 of the respective arms 206 and 210 are received in the respectivel openings 217 and 221 to secure the first plate member 174 to the second plate member 175 for common downward movement until such time as the first plate member 174 stops, as will be described hereafter, at which point the offset portions 207 and 211 are cammed outwardly of the respective openings 217, 221 under the inuence of the continued downward movement of the second plate member 175.

The rack 145 (FIGURES 1, 2 and 8-11) is secured to the second plate member 175 by a plurality of nuts and bolts (unnumbered) in a conventional manner, and the rack 145 is in meshing engagement with the gear 141 carried by the shaft 136 as has been heretofore noted. The gears 140, 142 and 143 are similarly in meshing engagement with the racks 144, 146 and 147 respectively, and these racks are secured to the pairs of plate members 170, 172 and 173 respectively (FIGURE 2). Therefore, upon the rotation of the shaft 136 motion is imparted to either raise or lower the descendible folding means 122 in a manner to be described immediately below solely in connection with the pair of plate members 171, it being understood that the movement of the remaining pairs of plate members are identical to that described.

The pair of plate members 171 is descended do-wnwardly in the direction of the arrows of FIGURE 13 by the cam means 120 (FIGURES l through 5) during the clockwise rotation of the cam 124 along the portion of the arc of travel identified by the double headed arrow 133 of FIGURE during which movement the folding arms 160 and 161 are pivoted to the generally vertical position shown in FIGURE 13. Substantially simultaneously with this pivoting of the folding arms 160, 161, the clockwise rotation of the gear 130 rotates the gear 135 secured to the shaft 136 and each of the gears 140 through 143 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 11. The counterclockwise rotation of the gear 141 in mesh wtih the rack 145 draws the rack 145 downwardly whereby both of the plate members 174, 175 of the pair of plate members 171 are similarly urged downwardly in the direction of the vertical arrows in FIG- URE 13, it being noted at this time that the arms 206 and 211 of the securing means 200 are engaged in the openings 217 and 221 respectively. Thus, the downward movement imparted to the second member 175 by the rack 145 secured thereto is imparted to the member 174 by the securing means 200. The plate members 174 and 175 thus descend in common until the bight portion 181 of the stop 180 contacts the portion 185 of the framework 21 thereby stopping the downward descent of the first member 174. This bottom of the member 174 is adjusted by the stop 180 in the manner heretoforeI described to occur when the pointed portion 194 defined by the guide surface portions 192, 193 is partially inserted into the carton C and to one side of the longitudinal partition panel L thereof, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 14 of the drawings. As the member 174 descends from its home position (FIGURE 11) to its lowermost position (FIG- URE 14), the remote edges E of the closure panels CP of the carton C are engaged by the guide surface portions 190, 191 causing folding of the tuck flaps TF along the second fold lines L2 from the solid position of FIGURE 13 to the phantom outline position in the same ligure.

After this bottoming of the member 174 occurs continued downward movement of the member 175 by the rack causes the arms 206 and 210 to be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 9 under the camming inuence of the surfaces dening the respective openings 217 and 221 whereupon the offset portions 207 and 211 are fully retracted from the openings against the bias of the torsion spring 213. At this point the securing means 200 is disengaged and the member is free to continue its downward descent (FIGURE 9) while the member 174 is maintained in its stopped condition. This relationship of the members 174 and 175 is illustrated in FIGURE 14 of the drawings.

As the second plate member 175 approaches the position illustrated in FIGURE 14, the bight edge portion 198 of the means 189 contacts the remote edge portions E of the carton C (phantom lines in FIGURE 13) and directs or urges these edge portions E inwardly and downwardly along the guide surface portions 192, 193 toward a bottom B of the carton C. Continued descent of the second plate member 175 brings the bight edge portion 198 into contact with the second fold lines L2 causing further downward converging movement of the tuck flaps TF toward a generally vertical plane and the top panels TP toward a substantially horizontal plane (FIGURES 15 and 16). As the second plate member 175 bottoms (FIGURES 9 and 16), the top panels TP of the carton C are in horizontal alignment and the tuck flaps TF are in generally vertical abutting relationship to one side of the longitudinal partition panel L.

While the description of the descendible means 122 has been thus far limited to the pair of plate members 171, it is again noted that the pair of plate members 170, 172, and 173 (FIGURE 17) descend in the manner described in connection with the pair of plate members 171, and the carton C is thus effectively closed along its entire length by the closure panels CP. The pairs of plate members 170-173 are also spaced from each other, from the folding fingers 164, 165 and from the reciprocal means 66 in the manner clearly illustrated in FIGURE 17 to prevent any interference between these components during the operation of the apparatus 20.

At this time, the shaft 42 ldriven by the pulley 41 has rotated degrees as have the cams 98 and 124 secured thereto. The shaft 42 rotates the cam 124 between 180 degrees and 270 degrees of its rotation (double headed arrow 225 of FIGURE 5) during which portion of its revolution the cam track 125 and cam follower 126 reciprocate the arm 127 downwardly to the left as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 5 to the position shown in FIGURE 5. This movement of the arm 127 rotates the gear 130 counterclockwise (FIGURES 1 and 3), the gear 135 clockwise, the gears 140 through 14'3 (FIGURE 1) clockwise, and the cam 148 carried by the shaft 136 similarly clockwise. The rotation of the gears 140-143 causes upward movement of the respective racks 144-147 and thus the upward movement of the pairs of plate members 170- 173 toward their uppermost or home position. During this upward movement of the pairs of plate members 170- 173 the securing means of each pair, such as the securing means 200 (FIGURE locks the plates 174, 175 together as the torsion spring urges the offset portions 207, 211 of the respective arms 206, 210 into the associated openings 217, 221. The pairs of plate members 170, 172 and 173 are similarly secured together and at the end of 270 degrees rotation of the cam 124, these members are in the home positions thereof (FIGURES 8 and l1), preparatory to another cycle ofthe apparatus.

During this same portion of rotation of the cam 124, i.e., between 180 and 270 degrees, the clockwise rotation of the cam 148 urges the cam follower 151 from its position adjacent the shaft 136 to the position shown in FIG- URE 7 whereupon the arms 154, 15S are drawn upwardly, the crank arms 157 and 158 associated therewith are respectively rotated or pivoted counterclockwise and clockwise to similarly rotate the respective shafts 160 and 161. The rotation of the shafts 160 and 161 pivot the folding :fingers 164, 165 respectively associated therewith to their home position substantially in a plane of the plate 22 of the framework 21. As was heretofore noted, the gear ratios of the gears 130 and 135 effects a 360 degree rotation of the cam 148 during a 90 degree rotation of the cam 124 and the folding fingers 164, 165 are thus fully pivoted to their home position during the 90 degree rotation of the cam 124 between 180 and 270 degrees.

During the rotation of the cam 124 and the cam 148 just described, the cam 98 of the cam means 97 operating the reciprocal means 66 similarly rotates between 180 and 270 degrees (final half portion of double headed arrow 117 of FIGURE 6) at which point the cam follower 101 dwells in the cam track 100 and no movement is imparted to the pusher elements 67, 68 of the reciprocal means 66. However, during the final 90 degree revolution of the cam 98 (double headed arrow 118) the cam follower 101 is urged upwardly by the cam track 100 to draw the arm 103 upwardly to the position thereof shown in FIGURES 1 and 6 to retract the reciprocal means 66 to the home position thereof as was heretofore noted. The upward movement of the arm 103 rotates the gear 108 clockwise (FIGURES 1 and 3), the gear 111 and the gears 113 and 113 carried `by the shaft 112 counterclockwise to reciprocate the racks 93, 94 in the direction of the arrows in FIGURE 18. As the racks 93, 94 are moved from right-to-left in FIGURE 18, the weight of the packaged carton C depresses the pusher members 76, 82 of the respective pusher elements 67, 68 downwardly into a generally horizontal plane to permit these members to be drawn beneath the carton C to the position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 2. The carton C is prevented from being drawn from right-to-left upon the movement of the racks 93, 94 by a flexible stop member 226 (FIGURES 1 and 18) having an end portion 227 normally positioned slightly above the plate 22 and fastened thereto .by conventional screws (not shown). The flexible stop member is depressed downwardly by the weight of cartons during the movement thereof into the housing 23 and rebounds upwardly to the position illustrated in FIGURE 18 when such cartons are delivered centrally of the housing. The end portion 227 of the flexible stop member 226 abuts the edges of the transverse partitions T of the carton C upon the right-to-left withdrawal of the pusher elements 67, 68 and thus prevent the carton C from moving in this same direction.

During the right-to-left withdrawal of the reciprocal means 66 to the home position thereof shown in FIG URE 2 by the cam means 97 and the gears associated therewith over the arcuate portion of cam travel 118 (FIGURE 6) between 27() and 360 degrees, the cam 124 16 similarly rotates between 270 and 360 degrees (double headed arrow 230). During this rotation the cam follower 126 dwells in the cam track 125 and no movement is imparted to either the descendible folding means 122 or the pivoting folding means 123 since no movement of the arm 127 (FIGURE 1) occurs.

The pulley belts 61 rotate continuously during the aforementioned and described cycling of the apparatus 20 and advance another packaged carton PC (FIGURE 18) which is identical to the carton C to a position adjacent the pulleys 55 for subsequent advancement thereof by the reciprocating means 66 into the housing 23 by another cycle of the apparatus 20 identical to that just described. In this manner, a plurality of cartons are closed Iby the apparatus 20.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that novel and advantageous provision has been made for carrying out the desired end. However, attention is directed to the fact that additional variations may be made in the apparatus of this invention and the method disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for closing a carton of the type which includes a bottom panel, side panels joined to the bottom panel and each terminating at a first fold line, a closure panel joined by each of the first fold lines to an associated side panel, each closure panel including a top panel between the first f-old line and a second fold line, and a terminal tuck panel between the second fold line and the remote edge, the improvement comprising means for conveying a carton along a predetermined path, first means adjacent said predetermined path for bearing against said top panels to fold said closure panels about said first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, second means normally above said first means, reciprocating means for urging said second means into bearing engagement with the terminal edges of the closure panels to fold the tuck panels about the second fold lines toward each other, guide means carried by the second means for directing the tuck panels toward a position of relative abutment, and third means for bearing against the second fold lines during the directing of the tuck panels by the guide means for bringing the top panels into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into generally vertical abutting relation.

2. In apparatus for closing a carton of the type which includes a bottom panel, side panels joined to the bottom panel and each terminating at a first fold line, a closure panel joined by each of the first fold lines to an associated side panel, each closure panel including a top panel between the first fold line and a second fold line, and a terminal tuck panel between the second fold line and the remote edge, the improvement comprising first means for folding said closure panels about said first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, second means normally positioned above said first means for folding the tuck panels about the second fold lines toward each other, reciprocating means for moving the second means to fold said tuck panels, and third means carried by said second means and operative upon the termination of the movement of the second means for bearing against the second fold lines for bringing the top panels into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into generally vertical abutting relation.

3. In apparatus for closing a carton of the type which includes a bottom panel, side panels joined to the bottom panel and each terminating at a first fold line, a closure panel joined by each of the first fold lines to an associated side panel, each closure panel including a top pane! between the first fold line and a second fold line, and a terminal tuck panel between the second fold line and the remote edge, the improvement comprising first means for folding said closure panels about said first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, second means normally positioned above said first means for folding the tuck panels about the second fold lines toward each other, Areciprocating means for moving the second means to fold said tuck panels, third means carried by said second means operative upon the termination of the movement of the second means for bearing against the second fold lines for bringing the top panels into horizontal -alignment and the tuck panels into generally vertical abutting relation, and stop means for terminating the movement of said second means.

4. In apparatus for closing a carton of the type which includes a bottom panel, side panels joined to the bottom panel and each terminating at a first fold line, a closure panel joined by each of the first fold lines to an associated side panel, each closure panel including a top panel between the first fold line and a second fold line, and a terminal tuck panel between the second fold line and the remote edge, the improvement comprising first means for folding said closure panels about said first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, second means normally positioned above said first means for folding the tuck panels about the second fold lines toward each other, reciprocating means for moving the second means to fold said tuck panels, third means carried by said second means and operative upon the termination of the movement of the second means for bearing against the second fold lines for bringing the top panels into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into generally vertical abutting relation, means locking said first and second means together for simultaneous movement and stop means for terminating the movement of at least said second means.

5. In apparatus for closing a carton Iof the' type which includes a bottom panel, side panels joined to the bottom panel and each terminating at a first fold line, a closure panel joined by each of the first fold lines to .an associated side panel, each closure panel including a top panel between the first fold line and a second fold line, and a terminal tuck panel between the second fold line and the remote edge, the improvement comprising means for advancing the cartons along a predetermined path of travel, means along the predetermined path for folding the closure panels upwardly about the first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the terminal tuck panels about the second fold lines away from a generally vertical plane and toward each other, said descendible means including a lower portion adjacent the predetermined path of travel of said carton, said lower portion having a first guide surface portion for contacting the remote carton edges and guidably directing the tuck panels toward each other, other means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the top and tuck panels about the respective fold lines to bring the top panels into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into vertical alignment, means for actuating each of the descendible means and guide means for guiding the tuck panels into vertical alignment.

5. In apparatus for closing a carton of the type which includes a bottom panel, side panels joined to the bottom panel and each terminating at a first fold line, a closure panel joined by each of the first fold lines to an associated side panel, each closure panel including a top panel between the first fold line and a second fold line, and a terminal tuck panel between the second fold line and the remote edge, the improvement comprising means for advancing the cartons along a predetermined path of travel, means along the predetermined path for folding the closure panels upwardly about the first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the terminal tuck panels about the second fold lines away from a generally vertical plane and toward each other, said descendible means including a lower portion adjacent the predetermined path of travel of said carton, said lower portion having a first guide surface portion for contacting the remote carton edges and guidably directing the tuck panels toward each other, said lower portion also including a second guide surface portion for guidably directing the tuck panels downwardly toward the predetermined path of carton travel, other means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the top and tuck panels about the respective fold lines to bring the top panels into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into vertical alignment, means for actuating each of the descendible means.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 including cam means for advancing said descendible means from a first position remote from said predetermined path of travel to a second position more closely adjacent the predetermined path of travel to fold the tuck panels about the second fold lines.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second guide surface portions are contoured to a generally inverted W-shaped configuration.

9. In apparatus for closing a carton of the type which includes a bottom panel, side panels joined to the bottom panel and each terminating at a first fold line, a closure panel joined by each of the first fold lines to an associated side panel, each closure panel including a top panel between the first fold line and a second fold line, and a terminal tuck panel between the second fold line and the remote edge, the improvement comprising means for advancing the cartons along a predetermined path of travel, means along the predetermined path for folding the closure panels upwardly about the first fold lines toward a generally Vertical plane, means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the terminal tuck panels about the second fold lines away from a generally vertical plane and toward each other, other means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the top and tuck panels about the respective fold lines to bring the top panels into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into vertical alignment, said other descendible means including a lower portion adjacent the predetermined path of travel of said carton, said lower portion having a guide surface portion for contacting the second fold line to urge the top panels into horizontal alignment, means for actuating each of the descendible means and guide means for guiding the tuck panels into vertical alignment.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said guide surface portions are contoured to a generally inverted U-shaped configuration.

11. In apparatus for closing a carton of the type which includes a bottom panel, side panels joined to the bottom panel and each terminating at a first fold line, a closure panel joined by each of the rst fold lines to an associated side panel, each closure panel including a top panel between the rst fold line and a second fold line, and a terminal tuck panel between the second fold line and the remote edge, the improvement comprising means for advancing the cartons along a predetermined path of travel, means along the predetermined path for folding the closure panels upwardly about the first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the terminal tuck panels about the second fold lines away from a generally vertical plane and toward each other, other means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the top and tuck panels about the respective fold lines to bring the top panels into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into vertical alignment, each of said first mentioned and said other descendible means being a plurality of pairs of plate members, each of said pairs including at least one plate member of said first mentioned descendible means and at least one plate member of said other descendible means, lost motion means for permitting continued descent of one of the plate members while precluding the descent of the other of said plate meml bers, means for actuating each of the descendible means and guide means for guiding the tuck panels into vertical alignment.

12. In apparatus for closing a carton of the type which includes a bottom panel, side panels joined to the bottom panel and each terminating at a first foldl line, a closure panel joined by each of the first fold lines to an associated side panel, each closure panel including a top panel between the first fold line and a second fold line, and a terminal tuck panel between the second fold line and the remote edge, the improvement comprising means for advancing the cartons along a predetermined path of travel, means along a predetermined path for folding the` closure panels upwardly about the first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the terminal tuck panels about the second fold lines away from a generally vertical plane and toward each other, other means descendible from above the predetermined path for folding the top and tuck panels about the respective fold lines to bring the top panels into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into vertical alignment, each of said first mentioned and said other descendible means being a plurality of pairs of plate members, each of said pairs including at least one plate member of said first mentioned descendible means and at least one plate member of said other descendible means, lost motion means for permitting continued descent of one of the plate members while precluding the descent of the other of said plate members, means for actuating each of the descendible means, guide means for guiding the tuck panels into vertical alignment, said guide means forming a portion of said one plate member of the first mentioned descendible means.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 111 wherein said lost motion means comprises removable means securing said plate members together, said removable means being secured to one of said plate members of each pair and engageable with the other of the plate members of the pair, and means for stopping the descent of said other plate member whereupon the continued descent of Said one plate member causes disengagement of said removable means with the other of said plate members.

14. A mechanism for folding a panel of a carton from a generally vertical upwardly directed position to a position in which a top panel between first and second fold lines of the carton is positioned in a generally horizontal plane and a tuck panel between the second fold line and a remote edge of the carton is positioned in a generally vertical downwardly directed position comprising means positioned above an area at which a carton is located, said means comprising first and second reciprocal plate members, means for reciprocating said plate member between positions adjacent to and remote from said area, means on said first member for contacting said remote panel edge, whereby the tuck panel is folded along the second fold line toward and beyond a horizontal plane during the reciprocation of said plate members toward said area, means for stopping the movement of said first plate member adjacent said area, means on said second plate member for bearing against said second fold line -to fold said top panel along the first fold line after the first plate member has been stopped by said stopping means to bring the top panel to a generally horizontal position, and the contacting means of the first plate member including guiding means for directing said tuck panel to a generally vertical downwardly directed position.

15. The mechanism as defined in claim 14 including means removably securing said first and second plate members together for common movement, and said securing means including disengageable means carried by one of the plate members and engageable with the other of the plate members whereby the stopping of said first plate member causes disengagement of said disengageable means with said other plate member and permits continued reciprocation of the second plate members toward said area.

16. The mechanism as defined in claim 1S wherein said disengageable means is a pivotable panel carried by said second plate member and engageable with an opening in said first plate member.

17. The mechanism as defined in claim 16 wherein said second plate member includes a rack forming a portion of said reciprocating means and a gear in mesh with said rack for reciprocating both of said first and second plate members.

18. The mechanism as defined in claim 16 wherein biasing means are provided for normally maintaining the pivotable panel engageable in said opening.

19. A mechanism for folding first panels of a carton relative to second panels of the carton about respective fold lines from generally acute angles to the horizontal to general obtuse angles to the horizontal comprising means for supporting the carton, pivotal arms supported generally in the plane of the supporting means for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to carton fold lines, at least a pair of rotatable rods parallel to the fold lines, at least one of said arms being carried by a first of said rods and another of said arms being carried by a second of said rods, said one and another arms being oppositely directed generally normal to said rods, each arm having first and second end portions, said second end portions being offset relative to said first end portions and being remote from its associated rod, and means for pivoting said rods and the arms associated therewith in opposite directions for causing the first portions of the oppositely directed arms to embrace the second panels of the cartons and the offset portions of said arms to bear against the first panels and pivot the same about the fold lines.

20. The mechanism as defined in claim 19 wherein said pivoting means includes a crank arm carried by each rod, a link attached at one end thereof to each crank arm, opposite ends of said links being connected together, cam follower means carried by a member joined to the links, and cam means cooperative with the cam follower means for moving said links and pivoting said arms through the crank arms and rods.

21. An apparatus for closing a carton of the type which includes a bottom panel, side panels joined to the bottom panel and each terminating at a first fold line, a closure panel joined by each of the first fold lines to an associated side panel, each closure panel including a top panel between the first fold line and a second fold line, and a terminal tuck panel between the second fold line and the remote edge, the improvement comprising first means for folding the closure panels about the first fold lines toward a generally vertical plane, second means normally positioned above said first means for folding the terminal tuck panels about the second fold lines toward each other, means for downwardly moving said second means toward said first means, third means normally positioned above said first means for folding the top and tuck panels about the respective first and second fold lines to bring the top panels into horizontal alignment and the tuck panels into vertical abutment, and said second and thrid means having respective inverted generally W-shaped and U- shaped surfaces for guiding the closure panels to the closed position thereof during downward movement of said second and third means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,071,247 2/ 1937 Benoit et al. 53-376 X 2,091,426 8/ 1937 Benoit 53-376 2,685,158 8/1954 Von Haase 53-374 X 3,101,653 8/1963 Burden 93-49 3,295,294 1/ 1967 Galloway 53-374 TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner 

